POSITION: Sr. Conservator
JOB SUMMARY:
The J. Paul Getty Museum is seeking a Senior Conservator of Antiquities to oversee the Getty Villa’s conservation department, which is responsible for the long-term preservation of one of the largest and finest collections of Greek and Roman antiquities in the United States. The Senior Conservator of Antiquities oversees the safekeeping, proper installation, and conservation of all works in the Getty Villa’s permanent collection. It conducts an active and influential program of treatments and research, including technical and materials analyses, and as a result attracts a broad range of masterworks from around the globe to the Villa’s conservation studios and galleries. The department supports a program of ambitious loan exhibitions through its conservation work and state-of-the-art installation and mount-making procedures. The Senior Conservator represents the institution in the negotiation of joint projects with other institutions and governments while advancing its reputation as a leader on conservation matters internationally. He/she also oversees department staffing, hiring, performance reviews, staff development, and the budget.
The successful candidate will have a Master’s Degree and/or Ph.D. degree, ten years’ experience as an objects conservator, a record of successful treatments and professional publications, and proven ability as a manager. Frequently working in tandem with the curatorial department, he/she will have the reputation and skills to initiate collaborations and build partnerships internationally. The individual will be equipped to consult with other institutions as appropriate on their conservation needs and to conduct negotiations regarding loans and treatments where required. He/she will contribute to researching, developing, and overseeing innovative methodologies for long-term preservation of works of art in support of the Getty’s leadership role among museums and cultural institutions. The Senior Conservator will report to the Associate Director for Collections and work closely and collaboratively with the Senior Curator of Antiquities and with colleagues across the Getty campus.
MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Supervises a conservation department of nine, including five conservators and three mountmakers, nurturing staff development and reviewing performance
- Provides expert opinion about the condition of proposed acquisitions
- Oversees the conservation treatment of all works in the Getty’s antiquities collection.
- Supports a program of international loans of works of art through his/her expertise, reputation, and diplomacy
- Advises on the presentation of works of art in the Villa’s galleries and for special exhibitions while overseeing and facilitating their safe installation
- Develops best practices for conservation treatment and the installation of works of art.
- Works collaboratively with Museum curators, scientists and staff of the Getty Conservation Institute, colleagues across the two Getty campuses, and internationally to further the programs and mission of the Getty Villa and J. Paul Getty Museum under the auspices of the Getty Trust
- Administers the department budget
QUALIFICATIONS:
- MA in conservation or equivalent degree preferred
- 10+ years experience in conservation
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Background in chemistry and physics and knowledge of production methods for 3-dimensional objects in diverse media
- Background in archaeological field work and its techniques and methods
- Knowledge of Word, e-mail, Excel, and basic office software
- Managerial and diplomatic skills
- Scholarship and publications
- A record as an effective communicator, networker, and team player, who thrives in the highly collaborative, dynamic environment of a complex organization.
TO APPLY, PLEASE VISIT: https://jobs-getty.icims.com/jobs/2446/conservator-sr/job